129. Ya Boy Was In Taiwan

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

#Society #Angela Lin And Jesse #Angela Lin #Jesse Lin

24:35

It’s the very first episode of The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr and our first guest is Phil Wang! And Phil’s subgenre is…This Place is Evil. We’re talking psychological torture, we’re talking gory death scenes, we’re talking Lorraine Kelly?! The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr is a brand new comedy podcast where each week a different celebrity guest pitches an idea for a film based on one of the SUPER niche sub-genres on Netflix. From ‘Steamy Crime Movies from the 1970s’ to ‘Australian Dysfunctional Family Comedies Starring A Strong Female Lead’, our celebrity guests will pitch their wacky plot, their dream cast, the marketing stunts, and everything in between. By the end of every episode, Jimmy Carr, Comedian by night / “Netflix Executive” by day, will decide whether the pitch is greenlit or condemned to development hell! Listen on all podcast platforms and watch on the Netflix Is A Joke YouTube Channel . The Big Pitch is a co-production by Netflix and BBC Studios Audio. Jimmy Carr is an award-winning stand-up comedian and writer, touring his brand-new show JIMMY CARR: LAUGHS FUNNY throughout the USA from May to November this year, as well as across the UK and Europe, before hitting Australia and New Zealand in early 2026. All info and tickets for the tour are available at JIMMYCARR.COM Production Coordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries Production Manager: Mabel Finnegan-Wright Editor: Stuart Reid Producer: Pete Strauss Executive Producer: Richard Morris Executive Producers for Netflix: Kathryn Huyghue, Erica Brady, and David Markowitz Set Design: Helen Coyston Studios: Tower Bridge Studios Make Up: Samantha Coughlan Cameras: Daniel Spencer Sound: Charlie Emery Branding: Tim Lane Photography: James Hole…

2 years ago 17:39

MP3•Episode home

Jesse recently went back to Taiwan for the first time since before the pandemic. Although for less than ideal reasons (the death of his grandfather), he was grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with his extended family back in the motherland.

We also hear about Jesse's shenanigans going out solo to experience LGBT nightlife in Taipei by himself, and what it was like finally being out to the majority of his family members.

Across all of these experiences, we talk about the legendary friendliness of Taiwanese people, how much Jesse felt he "belonged" despite being an American-born kid with imperfect Mandarin, and also the refreshing ease of being of the majority population (as opposed to our experience as minorities in the US).

How about you listeners? What was your most memorable trip back to the motherland and what about it stood out to you? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media!

176 episodes

129. Ya Boy Was In Taiwan

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

20 subscribers

published 2 years ago

MP3•Episode home

We also hear about Jesse's shenanigans going out solo to experience LGBT nightlife in Taipei by himself, and what it was like finally being out to the majority of his family members.

How about you listeners? What was your most memorable trip back to the motherland and what about it stood out to you? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media!

176 episodes

#Society #Angela Lin And Jesse #Angela Lin #Jesse Lin

All episodes

1
175. What Are the Kids Saying These Days? 19:02

17 days ago19:02

19:02

Nothing makes us feel older than not understanding a word that Gen Z or Gen Alpha says because the kids be changing their slang so quick, it's hard to keep up! In this episode, we talk about skibidi toilet, rizz, and more confusing terms the kids are saying nowadays. But in all seriousness, we ponder why slang has developed this way and also the cyclical nature of recycling concepts and trends from other generations into the new age. What's the craziest slang you've heard recently that made you go huh?! Let us know in the comments or on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off Real You Mandarin's brand new course, Real You Mandarin: Self-Expression, built to give you the confidence to navigate life's toughest conversations around expressing your feelings, interpersonal relationships, fertility & parenting, caring for aging parents, and self-growth. Try a free lesson and save big by locking in early bird pricing now at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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174. Living Life on the Edge 16:32

5 weeks ago16:32

16:32

Have you ever stopped to think about if you live your life out on the edge? It sounds cliche, but how close to "average" is your life? If you've wondered these things, this week's episode aims to dive into this exact topic. From a young age, your podcast hosts have been pushed to excel in all areas of life. From academic studies to extra-curricular pursuits - all the way to careers in adulthood. And looking back, neither of us could say that this was the average experience in the US. Where does that legacy of seeking excellence leave us in our adulthood? Jesse believes that there is almost a thrill-chasing habit from chasing excellence that is ultimately hollow. Angela rightfully points out that many of these end pursuits are externally driven and may not reflect what we truly want. At the end of the day, what do you listeners think? Do you feel like you live a life outside the norm? Let us know from wherever you're listening to us! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off all Real You Mandarin online courses & offerings designed specifically for ABCs, ABTs, and other advanced Mandarin learners. Preview a free lesson and learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

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173. Blade Runner: 2025 18:07

6 weeks ago18:07

18:07

With all of the technological innovations that we live with everyday, are we already living in the future? From home help robots to invisibility cloaks, so many things we imagined to be impossible are coming to life today. And although not all the promises of technology are here just yet, many advancements promise to revolutionize humanity tomorrow. One area of advancement live today is artificial intelligence. Not yet the SkyNet idea of tomorrow, but different algorithmic products already permeate our lives. From ChatGPT to Google's AI search summaries, AI holds the promise to transform the way we find knowledge and the way we work. What do you think listeners? Are there specific advancements in technology that excite you? Let us know in the comments or on social media! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off all Real You Mandarin online courses & offerings designed specifically for ABCs, ABTs, and other advanced Mandarin learners. Preview a free lesson and learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

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172. White Lotus S3: WTF Moments 19:38

8 weeks ago19:38

19:38

White Lotus Season 3 has come to an end and we have...thoughts. We're discussing the whole season in review of our most WTF moments - the ones that lived rent free in our heads for days after watching it. From the infamous brotherly love incident to the completely unhinged cocktail lounge monologue from Frank, we relive it all. And yes, we do talk about the most ridiculous and unbelievable moments to us from the season finale, and what we think creator Mike White's "moral of the story" is throughout the series. What were the craziest moments for you from this season? Let us know in the comments below! **BIG FAT SPOILER ALERT that if you have not finished watching Season 3 of White Lotus and care about spoilers, please don't watch this video until after you've caught up.** ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off all Real You Mandarin online courses & offerings designed specifically for ABCs, ABTs, and other advanced Mandarin learners. Preview a free lesson and learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

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171. Is Creativity What Makes Us Human? 17:25

8 weeks ago17:25

17:25

If you're an OG listener, you know we started the pod as a hobby during the pandemic. But we weren't the only people following creative pursuits - so many people experimented with baking, cooking, drawing, and many other interesting activities. This week, we're taking a moment to explore why creative passions matter. For Angela, being a creator is what she has pursued since leaving corporate America. The podcast and Real You Mandarin have been professional expressions of creativity, but she also bakes on the side. Jesse has recently gotten into pottery, and his creative expression has always remained largely a hobby. What's the difference between pursuing a creative passion for work vs just for yourself? Can you find creative fulfillment in your every day job or life? Listen in to hear for yourself, and let us know what creative projects you've been pursuing lately! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin: Beginnings online course co-created by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

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170. Can You Read My Mind? 19:12

9 weeks ago19:12

19:12

Do you believe in telepathy or ESP-like phenomena? This week we discuss "The Telepathy Tapes," a podcast that explores if non-verbal autistic individuals have the ability to read minds. The ability to look into another's mind is considered a fantastical power, but what would it take to convince you that it is real in certain individuals? In-house "woo woo" Angela and "skeptic" Jesse debate the ways that the podcast presents this concept. Many of these non-verbal individuals engage in something called "spelling", where they point at letters or otherwise type out words that someone in the room is thinking. While this ability appears to be compelling, the skeptics may be prone to believe there is some creative storytelling to this series rather than concrete explanations. Regardless of your belief in telepathy, we encourage you to explore the podcast series yourself, if for nothing else, a bit of entertainment as it's quite interesting. Do you believe that telepathy may be possible? Let us know in the poll or comments! ------- *Podcasters' Note: Angela mistakenly refers to "spelling" as "typing" in the actual episode. Also, thanks for bearing with our tech issues affecting Angela's audio a few minutes into the episode. ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin: Beginnings online course co-created by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

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169. Bethenny's Dior Bags (UAP) 24:46

10 weeks ago24:46

24:46

Did you hear about the SUV-sized drones, plasmoids, orbs, and other strange objects in the sky over New Jersey/the East Coast the past few months, or is this the first time you're hearing about it? We discuss this strange phenomena that started around the holidays in 2024 and continued for several months, where folks were claiming these large drones and other unidentified aerial objects were following them or seemingly "mapping" their neighborhoods. Despite the sheer volume of sightings and videos uploaded, there was little to no mainstream media coverage and a brushing off by both presidential administrations as either something they simply couldn't explain, or "were ours" and therefore nothing to worry about. What's more, though the majority of video footage was uploaded to TikTok directly by those on the ground, the algorithm was seemingly suppressing views and distribution of drone-related footage, to the point where everyone's favorite Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel became one of the leading voices on these drone sightings and led the charge in calling them "Dior bags" in order to evade the algorithmic suppression. This all leaves us wondering...what the heck is going on?! At best these things really were all "ours" and the government was conducting some strange experiment on the American people. Or worse (and human), it was foreign adversaries spying on or otherwise displaying a show of force. Or worst (and not human - for those of us who are inclined to believe), it was aliens. Of note, at the same time these SUV-sized drones were happening, there were whistleblower stories coming out from former Special Forces personnel and those who worked in the UAP ("unidentified anomalous phenomena" fka "UFO") retrieval/reverse engineering program about first- and second-hand experiences with unknown technology and alien presences, but barely anyone heard about it amidst all the hubbub of the drones. What do you think all of this aerial activity was? Our government? Foreign adversaries? Aliens? Something else? Let us know in the poll or comments! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin: Beginnings online course co-created by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

1
168. But What Have You Really Been Doing? 17:12

11 weeks ago17:12

17:12

We're back with a life update where we chat about the most fun recent things we've been up to during our off-season break, Angela being re-energized and doubling down on Real You Mandarin efforts, Jesse enjoying the semi-single (read: open relationship) life, and coming to terms with getting older and potentially wanting plastic surgery?! Let us know what you've been up to during our break in the comments below or on social media! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin: Beginnings online course co-created by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

1
167. The Happiness Curve 23:11

23 weeks ago23:11

23:11

"The Happiness Curve" is a concept that postulates that on average, a person's happiness acts as a U-shaped curve where you are happiest in your youth, happiness starts to decline in your 30s/40s, and picks back up as you get into your 50s and beyond. In this episode, we discuss what we think about this phenomenon. Full disclosure, we did get the decades slightly wrong lol, but we generally discuss why we think it could be that people get happier as they get older due to things like changing perspectives on *what* brings them happiness. We also ponder whether this study will continue to reflect the average person as we shift into different generational cohorts who hold very different values (i.e., millennials not necessarily wanting to wait until retirement to "enjoy" life). What do you think about The Happiness Curve? Do you think you're happier now than you were when you were younger? Is it about perception of happiness or something else? Let us know in the comments below! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

1
166. Should Video Games Represent Us? 19:41

24 weeks ago19:41

19:41

Have you ever spent hours in anticipation of your next escape, only to find that you can't quite see yourself in that narrative? If you're a gamer, you might find that to be common, depending on the category of game you're primarily interested in. This week, we're discussion the issue of representation in big box video games. Video games have to walk a fine line between representing an escape, while allowing the player to immerse themselves into the world. The details of immersion can often make or break how invested the player is. We discuss examples of how immersion deepens or breaks from the experience, from Witcher - Blood Origin to Assassin's Creed Shadows. Have you played a recent video game that helped you immerse deeply in its lore and universe? Let us know what you played in the comments below or on our social media! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

1
165. Hindsight is 20/30 19:30

25 weeks ago19:30

19:30

Have you ever taken a moment to look back on your actions from a different period of your life? Have you ever wondered why you made certain decisions and whether or not they were wholly yours? This week, we take a walk down memory lane and evaluate the impact some of our decisions in our 20s have on our lives right now. For Angela, the importance of building her own family has been pressing - both physically and emotionally. On the other hand, Jesse has struggled with finding meaning in the choices that he's made. Ultimately, both of us agree that making decisions in your 20s is not easy. However, the decisions are yours to make and yours to own - and worth taking a moment to think about how that will impact your future self. If you could go back in time, would you make any choices differently in your 20s? Let us know in the comments below! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

1
164. Bilingual Parenting ft. Sunny Horstmann 37:25

27 weeks ago37:25

37:25

We've often grappled with reconciling our identities as Asian-Americans, straddling two or more cultures between our family's motherland and the western environment in which we actually grew up. For many of us who did not grow up in Asia, when the time comes to think about trying to pass on that culture - and especially the language - to our children or future children, that task can seem incredibly daunting. In this episode, we chat with guest Sunny Horstmann about how she set up the structure and environment to raise her two kids in a bilingual (Mandarin Chinese/English) environment and the village she's created to help other parents struggling to wade through these murky waters. We talk about the importance of having a support system, fighting the idea that your Mandarin needs to be perfect to get started, how we may unknowingly bring biases from our own language learning experiences into how we teach our children, and much more. Do you have aspirations to create (or continue!) a bilingual environment for your family? What has your experience been like? Let us know in the comments below or on our social media! Follow Sunny on Instagram at @spotofsunshinechinese, on her website at spotofsunshine.com , and join the waitlist for the next time her membership opens up for her bilingual parenting community. Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom *Podcasters' Note: for those watching the video, sorry for the freezing up. Sunny's wifi had some issues - ah, the joys of remote recording and crossing international lines! :D ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at www.realyoumandarin.com--…

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163. Food As A Way Into Taiwanese Culture ft. Lisa Cheng Smith (Yun Hai) 45:06

28 weeks ago45:06

45:06

We've often talked about how food is one of the most easily accessible ways into a culture, and this episode's guest is a perfect living example of that. Lisa Cheng Smith, founder of Yun Hai Shop in NYC, started Yun Hai as a way to explore her Taiwanese identity. Growing up as a half-Taiwanese/half-American individual, the question of "but where am I really from?" has always been something she was trying to figure out, and Yun Hai allowed her to explore that answer for herself. Today, Yun Hai is not only a brick and mortar shop in NYC that features artisanal food ingredients from Taiwan, it's also an online retailer, a wholesaler to restaurants, and an important English-based online resource about Taiwanese food and culture through its highly popular Substack. It even made waves last year when it was chosen as one of the few stops former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen made on her trip to the US! Listen in to hear about how and why Lisa got started with Yun Hai, how it allowed her to tap into both her Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American parts of her identity, why she cares about giving more spotlight to the art of Taiwanese home cooking, and the upcoming launch of Yun Hai's new Taiwanese cooking show coming out in early December that'll help share more of that spirit to the masses. If you have questions for Lisa or thoughts about the episode, let us know in the comments below or on our social media! For all things Yun Hai, find them at: Instagram: @yunhaishop YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yunhaishop Online shop: https://yunhai.shop/ Substack: https://yunhai.substack.com/ Cooking show waitlist: https://yunhai.shop/cooking-show ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at www.realyoumandarin.com ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

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162. Financial (In)Dependence 19:37

29 weeks ago19:37

19:37

"More money, more problems" as they say. But is financial inequality in a relationship a unique problem or does it just exacerbate existing ones? This week, we examine how financial inequality impacts the quality of our relationships. Having both had the New York experience, your hosts understand what it feels like to struggle on a budget. But these days, we're looking at the question of differing finances from different perspectives. What fears and insecurities does a financially dependent partner experience? What are the frustrations and uncertainties that the financially independent partner feels in a provider role? Tune in to find out, and join the conversation in the comments on our social media! Who financially contributes more in your relationship and how does that make each of you feel? Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at www.realyoumandarin.com…

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161. Election Schmelection 34:22

30 weeks ago34:22

34:22

The 2024 General Election is coming up in a matter of days... thank god because we are over it, lol. No matter which side of the political spectrum you fall on, I think many of us can agree that we are tired of the reality TV show style media coverage around the two candidates, the BS of the general political "machine" behind the two parties, and a frequently missing focus on the needs of the actual people of this nation. Despite feeling a simultaneous fervor and fatigue around the election, if you still have not voted yet, please go out and vote! It's important to stand up for what matters to you, especially if you want things to be different for the future of this country. How are you feeling about the upcoming election and/or the news cycle surrounding all of this? Predictions? Hopes for the future? Let us know in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Check out the full syllabus and sample content at www.realyoumandarin.com…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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160. The Call is Coming from Inside the House 42:19

31 weeks ago42:19

42:19

It's that spooktacular time of year - Halloween! In keeping with the pod tradition, we've gone diving in the deepest, darkest recesses of the internet (Reddit) for more scary stories. And also as usual, we're bringing you horror with an Asian flavor - only stories based in Asia accepted. Jesse brings to the table a terrific story involving public transit. And let's face it, what's scarier than riding the bus? Angela follows it up with a cautionary tale around stranger danger. Does the story's protagonist make the right choice or do they fall prey to usual horror decision making? Join us and listen in to these hair raising stories! And as always, let us know what your favorite scary story this year has been (traditional, Asian, or otherwise) in the comments below! TW: Ghosts, violence, self-harm ---- Follow the podcast on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Check out the full syllabus and sample content at www.realyoumandarin.com…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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159. When Love Is More Than Words ft. Jocelyn Chung 55:38

32 weeks ago55:38

55:38

Jocelyn Chung is a Taiwanese-American graphic designer and writer whose new children's book "When Love Is More Than Words" was just released this week! In this episode we of course discuss the book, including its inspiration being a beautiful real life realization she had with her grandfather, all the fun Taiwanese easter eggs, and more, and also discuss her recent journey of claiming her Taiwanese citizenship and starting a life and community in Taiwan, and how all of this helped her feel at home within herself in reflecting on her own identity. If you've had a chance to check out "When Love Is More Than Words," what did you think about it? If not, what stood out most to you from this episode? Let us know in our comments on social media! "When Love Is More Than Words" is available everywhere books are sold, and if you happen to live in Southern California, Jocelyn wanted to especially plug a local bookstore called Bel Canto Books in Long Beach. You can follow Jocelyn on Instagram at @jocelynschung and on her website at www.jocelynchung.com Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ------- If you're interested in the Mandarin course for ABCs/ABTs that Jocelyn references in the episode that Angela co-founded ("Real You Mandarin"), check what the course is all about at www.realyoumandarin.com and use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off as a thank you for being a listener of the pod.…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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158. Hello, Listeners! 16:46

33 weeks ago16:46

16:46

Your besties are back with some new topics for fall! Before we get into a slew of new conversations these next few months, we'd like to update you on where we are. Life keeps moving, especially when we are on break from the pod. For Angela, that means a few months closer to starting her family and moving to Japan. For Jesse, that means a few months of continued exploration around life hobbies and going out. And for the both of us, a few new shared changes you'll have to hear about in the episode! Tune in and let us know what you've been up to while we've been on break! ---- Follow the podcast on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Check out the full syllabus and sample content at www.realyoumandarin.com…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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157. Unlocking the Real You in Mandarin 38:38

1 year ago38:38

38:38

You've heard Angela share her struggles with trying to improve her Mandarin, being at a loss knowing simultaneously too much and nothing at all, it seems. She's also explicitly said that there is a clear market for creating a resource for Mandarin speakers born outside of the motherland, but that she wouldn't be the one making it! ...well, she's officially eating her words because recently Angela felt compelled to bring something like this to life to help people like us finally be able to have meaningful conversations in Mandarin and express ourselves the way that we've always wanted to, especially with family and friends. That's why she's been busting her butt creating a Mandarin course designed specifically for ABCs/ABTs with the help of her Mandarin teacher (Jane) based in Taiwan. In this episode, the first half (up to 18:48) is in English, and Angela and Jane discuss their inspiration for starting Real You Mandarin, the structure of this self-paced online course (video based realistic dialogues!), and what makes it uniquely tailored for the ABC/ABT audience (hint: a focus on real topics like dating & relationships and even media representation). In the second half of the episode, we switch into Mandarin to discuss the best and worst parts of working on this course so far! If you're a Mandarin speaker, we invite you to listen to the second half and learn some things along the way, as Angela asked Jane to live-correct her Mandarin when she made mistakes trying to express herself! Real You Mandarin is available now. You can learn more and join the course at: https://real-you-mandarin.teachery.co/ and follow them on Instagram & Tiktok at @realyoumandarin Now through the end of June, you can access the Early Bird Discount 25% off price directly on the site. As an additional thank you for being a loyal listener to the show, if you sign up now with promo code "whereareyoufrom10" you'll get an additional 10% off the course price! This AAPI Heritage Month, connect more deeply with friends, family, and your culture by learning to unlock the real you when you speak Mandarin! ---- Follow the podcast on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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156. The Path Towards Inner Peace 17:58

1 year ago17:58

17:58

How do you go about seeking inner peace for yourself? We've spent many past episodes diving into mental health and self-growth. But as we strive to improve ourselves, how can we also embrace all that we currently are - the good and the bad? We individually found frameworks that helped us cope with the stresses of everyday life. Jesse found his calming mantra through a session on Calm, while Angela discovered "The Work" by Byron Katie*. Both frameworks help to process turbulent thoughts, by slowing down our thought processes to be both kinder and more objective. As with many other growth related topics, seeking inner peace is work done over a lifetime. Although we are far from perfect at practicing this calmness, we work towards it every day. Listeners, how do you work towards emotional balance? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom *Podcasters' Note: in the episode we mistakenly refer to the author as Katie Byron. "The Work" is by Byron Katie.…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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155. How I Found My Voice Playing My Mom in A Movie ft. Lydia Bai 22:49

1 year ago22:49

22:49

What's it like to not only have an Olympic gold medalist mom but also have the chance to play her in a movie in China alongside the likes of Gong Li?! In this episode, we speak with Lydia Bai, a former Stanford volleyball star turned investment banker, now life coach, who had the rare opportunity to completely shake up her life and fly to China for this rare opportunity. *Her mom is legendary volleyball icon Lang Ping and the movie we're talking about is called "Leap" (2020)!* Through the process of learning how to act (in Mandarin, nonetheless!), Lydia was able to push through her own negative self talk and finally realize that the only person holding her back in life was herself. With this newfound realization, Lydia was inspired to forge a new path for herself as a life coach focused on helping women in tech overcome their own limiting beliefs in order to thrive in their careers. If you'd like to connect with Lydia, you can find her at https://www.lydiabai.com and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiabai/ Listeners - what did you resonate with most in this episode? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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154. Seeking the American Dream Abroad 16:41

1 year ago16:41

16:41

As the pandemic recedes, the dream of remote work forever has also shrank. But for those who can still telecommute, the allure of planting roots elsewhere has become "the writing on the wall." Reports of Americans moving abroad have historically centered on an older demographic looking to stretch their retirement savings. However, this new cohort of high paid telecommuters has come into focus - a group that seeks to achieve the American Dream while living abroad. With the economics, safety, and livability of their home nation in decline, living abroad has become a rational choice for this group. But as more Americans seek their dream life abroad, only time will tell how well their assimilation into their destination countries will fare. We'd love to hear from our existing digital nomad listeners and those who aspire to live life abroad! Have you considered planting roots abroad instead of settling in your home nation? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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153. Tip, Tip, You Pay! 19:54

1 year ago19:54

19:54

Look, we think service and gig workers should be paid a fair wage for their work, but at what point did that responsibility shift to the consumer instead of the employer?! In this episode we talk about how egregious tipping culture has become in the US, regardless of the level of service you actually received. We compare and contrast with tip-less cultures outside of the US, and bemoan how tipping expectations and pressures have changed due to the iPad checkout systems being used in even non-service "regular" storefronts. What do you think about how tipping culture has evolved in the US over the past several years? Especially if you work in the service industry, we're very curious to hear from you since you experience both sides. Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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152. Hello Grief, My Old Friend 19:57

1 year ago19:57

19:57

Our relationship with grief changes as we get older. The range of loss we learn to absorb over time is so large - so where do we learn how to cope? In evaluating ourselves, we find that most of our responses to loss are unique, individual responses. Growing up with families that did not necessarily express much emotion, we weren't able to learn a model of grief from a young age. And yet when we look at our parents' emotional reactions to tragic life events, we can't help but consider the difference. Our life contexts are certainly not the same, but the commonality of grief runs through it - maybe just expressed differently. How were you taught (or not taught) to handle grieving? Let us know in our Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media. Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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151. A New Blueprint for the Modern Family 19:03

1 year ago19:03

19:03

Family structures have changed throughout time and vary depending on which part of the world you're from. Recent surveys done by Pew Research in the US suggest that prevailing attitudes towards the institutions surrounding families have changed. The importance of family and marriage have dramatically transformed over the last few years. Some of these changes are more inclusive and benefit family structures that have traditionally sat outside the norm. Single parents and married gay parents have seen positive shifts in perception. But do these changes reflect the attitude of all of America? What kind of family structure do you belong to? Do you feel your family structure is largely accepted? Let us know in our Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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150. Three Body Problem Netflix Review 24:45

1 year ago24:45

24:45

Netflix has finally released its highly anticipated adaptation of the beloved sci-fi series "The Three Body Problem," and we're giving you our honest review from the perspective of someone who binged the entire book series as well as from someone who had no previous exposure to the trilogy at all. **This is a minimal spoilers review. We only discuss Episode 1 not the full season, so if you haven't watched the first episode this may not be for you. However, if you've just started the show, we won't be spoiling anything you don't already know.** From changing the setting from China to the UK, and thereby the protagonist Wang Miao into a diverse group of friends led by a female Auggie, we talk about what we think about these changes and whether they will materially change the appeal of the show or not. We also discuss the sub-plots fans of the book are likely eager to see play out in the show, like the virtual reality video game, vs. ones that we don't think the show producers did justice (explaining science, anyone?) and therefore flew over the heads of viewers with no exposure to the book series. What do you think of the 3 Body Problem show? What level of exposure did you have to the book series prior to the show coming out? Let us know in the comments of our Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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149. Fake It Til You Make It: Taiwan Edition 20:39

1 year ago20:39

20:39

We've talked about the culture shocks & challenges we've faced being American-born kids visiting the motherland (in our case, Taiwan), but all of those experiences have only been in the context of short-term vacations. What's it like trying to do "real" things like applying for health insurance, opening a bank account, and other "grown up" things in the motherland? In this episode, Angela shares exactly what that was like when she navigated these activities recently. Let's just say it was a humbling experience! While she and many of you may be lucky enough to have parents and other older relatives around who can help you through these mundane adulting activities now, they won't be around forever to help you. That's why, especially if you're looking to have options in the face of an ever-changing global climate, investing in developing these societally-functioning skill sets now is not such a bad idea. How about you listeners? Have you ever had to navigate "adulting" activities back in the motherland? Any tips & tricks? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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148. House Hunting: New York vs. Kyoto 27:52

1 year ago27:52

27:52

What's it like to search for and buy a house in the US vs. in Japan? Jesse purchased a co-op apartment in New York City two years ago, and Angela bought a house in Kyoto last year. In this episode, we compare and contrast everything from the search process, to contracting/making an offer, to renovations, and everything in between. Would you rather buy a house in the US or in Japan now that you've heard what those two processes entail? Let us know in our Spotify poll or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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147. Election Scaries: Taiwan Edition 16:23

1 year ago16:23

16:23

Did you know that there was a presidential election in Taiwan this year? While election madness is just starting in the US, it's already finished in Taiwan. The results have significant impacts on how the current major parties in Taiwan will govern in the future. While the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate, Lai Ching-te, came out ahead in the presidential race, the party as a whole has lost significant influence in the legislature. Amidst that, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), a newcomer in the Taiwanese general election, gained a significant share of the popular vote for their candidate Ko Wen-je. With the waning popularity of both the established political parties [DPP and Kuomingtang (KMT)], does this new political faction have what it takes to address Taiwan's problems head-on, especially with its tie-breaking power in the Legislature? Does this centrist third party's meteoric rise hold hope for other nations like our own (the US) with dissatisfied voters looking for another way? We'd love to hear from you, especially if you're a listener tuning in from Taiwan. What do you think will happen based on the results of this election? Let us know your thoughts in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- *Podcasters' Note: Sorry for the slightly awkward ending! Angela's internet gave out in the last bit so had to make do with what he had :)…

But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

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146. Is Democracy Worth Saving? 22:51

1 year ago22:51